Monsieur Lahzar: Movie Review

Monsieur Lahzar: Movie Review

Cast: Mohammed Felag, Sophie Nelisse, Emilien Neron
Director: Philppe Farladeau

Monsieur Lahzar arrives on New Zealand screens after a solid performance at the New Zealand International Film Festival earlier this year.

This Canadian/French drama won an Oscar nod and features some of the strongest ever performances by child actors I've ever seen. 

It centres on a Bashir Lazhar (Mohammed Felag), an Algerian immigrant and teacher, who comes to an elementary school after one of the teachers hangs herself in the classroom. Lazhar has his own demons to deal with as well - with family killed in attacks back home. 

But gradually, Lazhar heals as do the children in his care who are deeply traumatised and repressed after the hanging. Fighting the school at every level, Lazhar encourages the children to open up to heal their hurt - but with his attitudes at odd with the school's official line, how long will it be before the ethical clash becomes too much.... 

Enormously affecting, Monsieur Lazhar deals with grief, hope and offers a picture of healing which many will latch onto. The two child leads who play the kids who find the teacher hanged simply blow the adults off the screen with their simple, honest acting being a real tour de force set of performances. Some may see echoes of Dead Poets Society within, but it's a much stronger outing than that, with frissons of sentiment and proof of how important teachers can be. Felag commands the screen, but to be honest, it's the child actors who really dominate this drama.

Sensitive, deeply affecting and utterly riveting, Monsieur Lazhar is well worth your time.

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